AERB nod for fuel loading for Koodankulam

India's nuclear regulator on Friday said it has granted permission for loading of fuel into the much-delayed Koodankulam atomic power plant.

"Yes, based on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, we have granted permission for fuel loading," Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Chairman S S Bajaj told PTI from Mumbai.

With the AERB go ahead, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited will start loading 163 fuel assemblies into the first 1,000 MW unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, which is being developed with Russian collaboration.

Experts said that NPCIL would take about a week's time to load the fuel assemblies, each 4.57 metres long. The 1,000 MW Russian reactor will use enriched uranium as fuel and light water as coolant and moderator.